The Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club (RIAWC)honored high school and college-bound students with scholarships during a luncheon on the island May 15. Front row, from left: Alexis Slocum, Karin Carlson, Taylor Horwath, Jori Colarusso, Marina Johnson; back row from left: Erin Toohey, Kelsey Ethington, Mileah Gumpert, Miranda Gumpert, Michael Ryan, Jordan Starkey, Alex Campbell, Jacob Coyne, Maddi Theisen. Not pictured but receiving scholarships " Alex Donovan, Kate Fennelly, Tiffany Merkel, Lindsey Miner.
A total of $20,000 was awarded to 18 students scheduled to attend classes this fall. For those who received scholarships, 11 are graduating from high school this spring and seven are currently attending college. Brig. Gen. Duane Gamble, deputy commanding general, Army Sustainment Command, presented the students with certificates that highlighted their selection for the merit awards.
"This is a great day for the Welcome Club and our nation's youth," said Gamble. "You are our future leaders and I am humbled to be here with you."
The purpose of the RIAWC is to develop and foster a spirit of Quad Cities Area community responsibility at RIA by providing opportunities for social, cultural and creative pursuits and to support worthwhile service and community projects.
A fundamental purpose of the RIAWC is to generate funds to support service members and their families, government employees, and other charitable endeavors on the island and within the Quad-Cities metropolitan areas.
